Producers Continue Fight Over Softwood Pact

U.S. softwood lumber producers have filed charges with the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission that could lead to punitive tariffs being placed on Canadian softwood lumber imports.

The Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports wants the commission to level the field in softwood lumber trading with Canada, asserting our northern neighbors unfairly sell their softwood lumber at below-market prices and receive subsidies from provincial governments, accusations the Canadians deny. Always a sore spot between the two nations, the debate has intensified since the fiveyear-old softwood trade pact expired March 31.

The commission is expected to decide in May whether Canadian producers injured or threatened U.S. producers, one of many steps before tariffs are levied.

U.S. producers say the Canadian industry mostly logs on provincial land and pays minor "stumpage" fees that act as subsidies, while their American counterparts must bid at auction for their timber supplies. U.S.

lumber concerns also claim the Canadian industry does not have to adhere to costly environmental regulations.

"In Canada they always know where the wood is coming from," said Hank Scott. ceo. Collum Lumber Co., Allendale, S.C. "The government sets the price and sets it low."

The Canadian industry counters that lumber trade is cyclical, and says both countries are slogging through a sluggish market.

Under the expired agreement, Canada's four major lumber-producing provinces (Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta) were allowed to export 14.7 billion bd. ft. duty-free annually. After that, sliding fees were charged.

New Gustom Mill Opening

Jim Gaither, a 2o-year veteran of the milling industry, is opening his own custom milling business in Fontana, Ca., on the premises of Peterman Lumber

Specialized Milling Inc. will open its doors at the end of this month, featuring new machinery including three moulders, two rip saws, a planer, straight line rip saw, hortizontal resaw, and profile and louver sander with undercover storage.

Computer Firm Loses Office

An April 15 fire in Lafayette, Ca., gutted two office buildings, including the quarters of HMS Systems Corp.

In the meantime, the industry software specialist has set up temporary offices in Walnut Creek, Ca. The telephone number remains the same.

The origin of the four-alarm, April 15 blaze, which caused more than $2.8 million in damages, is still under investigation.

Oak Leaves Others In Woods

From a field of 21 candidates, the National Arbor Day Foundation nominated oak as the national tree.

With the most species in the U.S., the winning woodie out-distanced second-place redwood, and thirdplace dogwood. Maple and pine rounded out the top five

The tree-planting group hopes the public will recognize oak's new status as the nation's tree, regardless if Congress approves.

Rosboro Buys Manufacturer

Rosboro, Springfield, Or., a lumber, plywood, veneer and engineered wood products manufacturer, has acquired hardwood window and door frame system manufacturer Washington Hardwoods. Seattle. Wa.

Co-owners Tom and Jim Harkins, brothers who founded Washington Hardwoods in 1982, will remain with Rosboro, in, respectively, sales and marketing, and purchasing/production management. Jim Walsh, Rosboro's development manager, is overseeing the management team.

Plans call for the retention of all employees in the Seattle facility, which reportedly will remain operational.

"We intend to significantly expand the Washington market," said David Weza, Rosboro ceo, "as well as introduce the company's products nationwide."

Fire Destroys N.M. Sawmill

Temporarily shuttered Tricon Timber Co., Cimarron, N.M., was destroyed by a fire that began in a 60foot-long, smoldering sawdust pile.

The April 12 fire was said to have been fanned out of control by 20-mph winds, consuming the 25-acre lumberyard, a warehouse, a computer equipment storage facility, two frontend loaders, a bulldozer and countless logs, according to police chief Joe Turner. At press time, the fire was contained and the main office, guard shack and a storage shed were all that remained of the facility.

"The winds picked up again from the east and we have heavy smoke," said Turner, two days after the fire began. "There's nothing we can do. It's still too hot for the fire department to go in."

He said the fire was contained within the lumberyard and that its remaining structures were not threatened unless the wind drastically changed direction.

The blaze also scorched about 15 acres of the ranch land belonging to communications mogul Ted Turner, according to the police chief.

The sawdust pile had caused numerous flare-ups over the past few months, according to Turner, who estimated the sawdust pile was the size ofa four-story building.

"They had to pull back a little and let it burn," he said. "The blaze did not get out of control, however, until early Sunday afternoon, when the wind shifted. It totally engulfed millions of board feet of logs. Everything is gone."

Tricon Timber, St. Regis, Mt., bought the mill in 1999, according to Cimarron manager, Mark Van Huss, who said that though the mill closed in December due to poor lumber market conditions, the company was planning to reopen the plant in late April.

"We knew the sawdust was burning," he said. "It had been burning for 22 years.I wouldn't have the slightest idea on damage. We're not even thinking about the future until we can see what the damage is."

According to Turner, the Cimarron Fire Department had been called to the lumberyard 18 to 20 times in the past eight months.

Big Box Quake Safety Plan

The California Seismic Safety Commission is proposing that shoppers and workers in warehouse stores statewide be protected from falling merchandise during earthquakes.

The group came to its conclusion after viewing a video that simulated the impact of the 1994 Northridge, Ca., quake by showing several large boxes falling from shelves in a Home Depot. Among the items were heavy water heaters, paint cans, roofing and other products.

The boxes did not fall from the shelves. however. when the items were shrink-wrapped in plastic, nor did the racks collapse.

Last year, California Sen. Jackie Speier introduced legislation that would require restraints such as rails or fencing on rails l0' or higher.

TruServ Consolidates At Hq.

TruServ is relocating its Commercial/Industrial business from Butler. Pa., and its Rental business unit from Cary, Il., to its Chicago headquarters, where its third segment, Home & Garden Showplace, is based.

The co-oo believes it will save over $2 million by the three business segments' sales teams, advertising costs and merchandise buyers, reducing duplication and condensing sales territories.

Tom Capalbo was named director of the Commercial/Industrial and Rental segments. Dave Meder remains director of Garden Centers, and Woody Adler was promoted to director of sales for the three sesments.

Touch Of Gray Okay

As figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics attest, many older Americans are seeking employment, a great deal of them in home centers and other retail businesses.

The Bureau said men and women 65 and older comprised 12.97o of Americans working or seeking employment in 1999, a lVo increase from the previous year.

Though Home Depot, for instance, does not have a specific policy on older workers, spokesperson Susan Hitchcock said the chain pays better than the average retailer. citing average salaries of $12-$14 an hour.

Hitchcock praised the maturity and work ethic of older workers and said seniors bring a level of expertise to the workplace that the young simply do not have.

Many retirees employed by Depot have backgrounds in skilled trades such as carpentry and plumbing, according to Hitchcock, who said seniors seek jobs for extra income. human contact and a love of work.

Apache Tribe To Reopen Mill

Shuttered since July, White Sands Forest Products, Alamogordo, N.M., is set to reopen later this year under the ownership of the Mescalero Apache Tribe.

The Tribe purchased the facility and said it plans to hire 30 to 50 employees over the next few months, with more to be added once the mill reaches full operation.

Once a producer of roughly 30 million bd. ft. of lumber annually, the mill closed seven years after its access to logs on the Lincoln National Forest was denied due to regional environmental concerns.

A sovereign nation, the Mescaleros have harvested their forest for decades and have been touted for their sound forest management principles.